NEW LIBERAL ARTS BUILDING APPROVED
Earthquake Replacement Project Set to Begin Construction in Spring

(Digital image available on request.)
The Santa Monica College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to
approve a new Liberal Arts Building to replace the current structure that
was heavily damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Construction of the $18.96 million project –
which will be done in two phases – is expected to begin next spring.
Completion of the first phase is expected in fall 2005.

“This is an exciting development in SMC’s
ongoing effort to recover fully from the devastating earthquake and to
modernize the campus,” said SMC President Dr.
Piedad F. Robertson.

The new 53,000-square-foot complex has been designed
as two units – each with three stories and basement – that
will be connected with pedestrian bridges and walkways. To be located
just north of Parking Structure C in a central location, the project –
whose contemporary design features the use of Roman brick, painted metal,
white concrete and glass – will face onto a campus quad.

The first of the two phases will have nine classrooms
and faculty offices and the second will have 13 classrooms, faculty offices
and lab and tutoring space. Each classroom will be wired for computer
and Internet access. The complex will house the history, social science
and psychology departments.

Construction of the second phase is scheduled
to begin in fall 2004, with completion in 2006.

The current Liberal Arts Building, constructed
in 1952, was heavily damaged in the 1994 quake, and college officials
say repairs have not satisfactorily restored the structural and seismic
strength of the building. The building will be demolished when the new
Liberal Arts complex is completed.

Project design is by Renzo
Zecchetto Architects of Santa Monica, a
renowned architectural firm whose current projects include the Nativity
Parish School in Rancho Santa Fe and the Lux Art Museum in Encinitas.
The project architect is the Santa Monica office of Gensler,
an award-winning international design, architecture and planning company
that has done major projects and buildings throughout the world.